Bunny hops round Norfolk

Hi There

How time flies; half term has passed with various trips and activities to occupy us and keep me from the blog!  On Valentine's day I surprised Deadman, not with the bat wing glasses, but with fish and chips for two at a local pub. He was happy, especially when he overheard other diners discussing his favourite programme; Bargain Hunt.

Last Sunday we joined Bunny in one of his two favourite Norfolk activities; visiting the beach. He left his favourite haunt of Cromer and ventured onto Wells beach. It was a beautifully mild day and the sea was faintly visible in the distance. Deadman junior walked with a small amount of fuss (an achievement).  

Al Bowlly

Bunny's other Norfolk pastime is pursuing vintage bargains either by ferreting in charity and antique shops or hanging round the sale rooms in Aylsham. He has a fine collection of vintage records and a Dansette turntable to play them on, one of his favourite musicians is Al Bowlly.

We have just watched the last in the series of BBC's "Ripper Street"; a drama following the police of Whitechapel in 1889. They really seem to capture the feeling and certainly get the glasses correct. Have you noticed it's the baddies who wear them? Is it like the American films where the badddies are always English? The dodgy psychiatrist Dr Karl Crabb had a good pair of gold round eyes. I didn't trust him from the start, he was far too involved with one patient.

My favourite character has to be Jackson the American surgeon with a spurious past (all the characters seem to have those). He is good at his job and a bit naughty too, just like Deadman.

Bunny and I do like a good bit of period angst and swap DVDs excitedly, we are fairly flexible on time periods; Victorian to mid twentieth century. Atonement was a big favourite of Bunny's but we suspect that Keira Knightly may have been the main draw. The Deadman however rolls his eyes at all this emotional turmoil; that is for girls, he prefers intrigue. 

TTFN Mrs Deadman

Monocles; a style statement.

Hello there,

Patrick Moore the much loved astronomer died in December 2012 aged 89. He was as famous for his monocle as he was for sharing his passionate enthusiasm about astronomy.

Evolving from the hand held quizzing lens, monocles became fashionable from the late 18th century, soon becoming a regular accessory of the Dandy.

Victorian monocles were usually made of rolled gold, often being fitted with a raised gallery on their back edge. The gallery aided in the wearing of the monocle by keeping it clear of lashes and supporting it between the brow and cheek, for more comfort. Wealthy customers had them tailor made so they fitted perfectly.

Unfortunately, monocles experienced a fall from grace due to their popularity with German military officials - a group most people wanted to distance themselves from after World War II.

Now after 70 years the monocle is seeing a renaissance. Luckily, at Dead Men's Spex we sell modern galleried monocles complete with cord and reading lens for £28.50 and original vintage Victorian rolled gold monocles as and when we can source them.

TTFN Mrs Deadman